BEWARE OF CENTRELINK PENSION SCAM

Pensioners are being warned not to provide their personal details over the phone to anyone purporting to be from Centrelink or any other government agency.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been contacted by several local pensioners who have reported a scam involving phone calls from fake Centrelink representatives asking for private banking details.

"Scammers claiming to be from Centrelink are asking pensioners for their bank account details," Mr Chester said.

"This is a scam and locals should not provide these details over the phone.
"It's important people are vigilant and aware of this scam. Never provide your personal and banking details to anyone you don't know or trust."

The scam has been reported to Scamwatch.

Mr Chester said scammers target people of all backgrounds, aged and income levels and can catch people unaware. "All of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time," Mr Chester said.

"Scammers succeed because they look and sound real and they can catch you off-guard when you are not expecting it."

For more details about how to protect yourself from scams and a summary of reported scams, go to https://www.scamwatch.gov.au.